On Sunday 4 May, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India Prasad Kariyawasam hosted an interactive event in New Delhi at his Residence for youth delegates from Sri Lanka and India.

The event which was held on the eve of the World Youth Conference that is to take place in Hambantota and Colombo from 6-10 May provided an opportunity for youth from the two countries, specially those who will be participating in the Conference, to exchange views on the theme of the Conference as well as its envisaged outcome.

The event which was graced by the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India Rajeev Gupta and several other dignitaries including officials of the Vishwa Yuvak Kendra (International Youth Centre) of India and the Indian National Service Scheme. Five youth delegates from Sri Lanka on this occasion marked the final leg of the programme ‘Around the World in 40 Days’ that was launched by Sri Lanka Youth and ‘News First’ to create awareness about the Conference among Youth in different countries of the world. This Programme involved a five-member Youth delegation from Sri Lanka travelling 5000 miles, spanning 5 continents and 18 countries in 40 days to reach out to Youth around the world as a curtain raiser of the Conference and to discuss issues that concern youth and craft strategies to seek solutions to issues that confront youth as well as global issues including environment, employment and job creation, sustainable and inclusive development and the role of youth in the post-2015 Development Agenda.

Inaugurating the event, High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam spoke about the importance of the Conference for Sri Lanka and for youth around the world. He stated that the team spearheading the ‘Around the World in 40 Days’ Programme specifically chose India as their last destination on the eve of the Conference in recognition of the close ties between India and Sri Lanka and the fact that India will be home to the largest youth population of the world by 2021.

India’s Youth Affairs & Sports Secretary Rajeev Gupta, while thanking the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for hosting the event said that the conference in Sri Lanka is indeed a historic event and appreciating the efforts made by Sri Lanka in organizing the conference, expressed the view that the Colombo Declaration that will be adopted at the conference will play a key role in incorporating the views of Youth to the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The event at the High Commission was colourful with young people from India gracing the occasion, dressed in their traditional attire.

The Youth Delegation from India attending the World Youth Conference in Sri Lanka will comprise of seven members including five delegates sponsored by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, co-chaired by the High Commissioners of India and Sri Lanka.